System and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe ( 16 ), the system comprising: a stahlband device ( 10 ) having a cable ( 11 ) and a hooking device ( 12 ) at one side thereof an RIT tag ( 22 ), disposed at the side; and an RIT reader ( 23 ), for communicating with the RIT tag ( 22 ), the RIT reader being adapted to detect an intensity of a communication signal ( 24 ) of the RIT reader with the RIT tag ( 22 ), thereby allowing detecting a blockage ( 21 ) in an infrastructure pipe ( 16 ) by detecting a location of the RIT tag ( 22 ) according to an intensity of the communication signal ( 24 ). Preferably, the RIT tag is an RFID tag, and the RIT reader is an RFID reader.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, the system comprising:
 a stahlband device comprising a cable, the stahlband device being configured to be advanced through the infrastructure pipe by a force applied at a proximal end of the cable;   an Radio Identification Technology (RIT) tag attached to the distal end of the cable; and   an RIT reader for communicating with said RIT tag, said RIT reader being adapted to be positioned outside the infrastructure pipe and to detect an intensity of a communication signal of said RIT tag, thereby allowing detecting a location of the blockage of advancing the stahlband device through the infrastructure pipe by detecting a location of said RIT tag according to the intensity of its communication signal.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT tag is an RFID tag, and said RIT reader is an RFID reader. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT tag is passive. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT tag is active. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT reader comprises an audio player for playing an audio signal in an intensity which is a function of strength of said communication. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT reader comprises an audio player for playing a flickering audio signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the communication signal. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT reader comprises a light fixture that its lighting intensity is a function of strength of said communication. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT reader comprises a light fixture for displaying a flickering light signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the communication signal. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT tag comprises a first RIT tag device detectable from a distance up to 10 cm, and a second said RIT tag device detectable from a distance of greater than 10 cm, thereby allowing firstly detecting a general direction of said blockage, and then detecting said blockage more accurately. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said RIT reader comprises a pointer pointing on a direction of a corresponding RIT tag. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an Radio Identification Technology (RIT) tag, and attaching the RIT tag to a distal end of a cable included in a stahlband device;   pushing the cable inside the infrastructure pipe by applying a force at a proximal end of the cable such that the stahlband device advances through the infrastructure pipe;   upon detection of cessation of the advance of the cable of said stahlband device in said infrastructure pipe being blocked, moving an RIT reader outside the infrastructure pipe to detect a location where an RIT communication signal with said RIT tag is highest,   thereby detecting a location proximate to said blocking.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said RIT tag is an RFID tag, and said RIT reader is an RFID reader.